At Last....

It's official.....We are all on break until January 4th!! WooHoo!! I decided to teach intercession for the first week of break because it's really easy money and only 4 hours a day. The only downside is that I have to teach all of the kids that failed their classes. It's basically for credit recovery, so that they can pass their grade. Today was the last day, and fortunately all of the students passed their finals!
Now I finally have some time to spend with Hunter and get some things done at home. Christmas is just around the corner and my parents and my sister are coming to my house on Christmas Day! I'm so excited! This is going to be a great Christmas. :)
Keith is doing better. The staples were taken out of his belly on Monday. He was told to take things easy for the next week or two so that the incision doesn't open up. He decided to clean the garage yesterday and I think he did a little too much. We thought we had a catastrophe but I think it will be okay. So far so good! He needs to learn to listen to the doctor! :)

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here!!!

Last years tree.......

This years tree! Same ornaments and everything!

This weekend we finally had a chance to get some stuff done around the house and decorate the Christmas Tree!! We ended up going to Fry's and buying a tree and it is beautiful! We usually go cut one down from somewhere in Springerville, but this year Keith was busy elk hunting and we never had a chance. I love this tree so much! Keith and I are in disagreements now about our future trees! I want one from Fry's every year, but he still thinks we need to get one off the mountain! Hunter and I decorated the house and then the tree. He had fun. He kept hanging the ornaments in the same spot on the tree, but he is a really good help. Here is a picture of our beautiful tree. I am also putting up a picture of our tree from last year, just so everyone can see the difference. It's hilarious! :)

We went up to Springerville for Thanksgiving. Keith was elk hunting most of the time, but it was really nice to see the family. We got to stay at Mimi and Papa's house and spend some time with them. Keith ended up getting a spike so we have some awesome elk meat to last us all year!

When we got home from Springerville, Keith found out his belly button became infected again. We were really worried, seeing as he has had this problem for 2 years! We thought it was taken care of. Keith's surgeon he had before lives in Prescott, so we needed to find a new surgeon. Keith called about 20 different surgeons and finally one called and told him to come in immediately. Keith ended up having surgery the next day, getting half of his belly button removed, along with the abcess. We are pretty positive this doctor finally took care of the problem! Keith now has 15 staples and a 5 inch incision in his stomach! But he is doing good and feeling much better.

Thank a teacher

Yesterday I wasn't feeling to hot and Hunter has a really bad cold so I decided to stay home from work. Hunter has had this terrible cough and when I woke up yesterday I found that Hunter had coughed his way into throwing up in his crib! I decided to take him to the doctor just in case. She said his chest is clear and he doesn't have a fever, so we went home and played the rest of the day.
I still feel yucky. I think most of my problem is stress and burn out. I feel like I give and give and give and then get nothing back. I don't mean from my family, but from my job. I love being a teacher, and I love my class, but there is too much pressure on me. I do everything exactly like they ask me to everyday! I am always teaching, using every minute in class as though it is the last. I utilize every single piece of technology that has been graciously given to me. I teach the concepts exactly when the curriculum tells me to. I tutor ELL students after school. I do so many things that go above and beyond and still this is what I hear...."why haven't your benchmark scores gone up? "More tutoring after school" "You need more training on technology" oh and my favorite one, "we still can't give the teachers any raises next year!" I am currently working on my Master's Degree, but I'm still not going to get a raise. I'm beginning to think that none of this is worth it. I work my tail off for next to nothing and then....in the meantime, my son gets to spend all day at a babysitter.
Anyway, there is my rant for the day. Had to get it off of my chest. Thank goodness for breaks! Thanksgiving break has been a long time coming.
Oh and just so everyone knows..... This is a complaint about education in this state in general. Not my school or district. It's like this in every district. Teacher's are underappreciated. So today.....go out there and thank a teacher! Believe me...it will make their day!

Happy Halloween!

Hunter had a great time Trick or Treating tonight! Especially at Grandma and Grandpa's because they gave him almost a bucketful of candy!! And a doughnut! LOL....

He was so adorable in his pumpkin outfit. We had such a wonderful time together. Last night we carved pumpkins together. Hunter tried to eat the pumpkin guts but he got his pumpkin carved. I carved my very first pumpkin!! Here are some pictures.

Heavenly Father MUST be Watching Over Me!!

Hunter and I went to Wal-Mart this afternoon to buy him a Halloween costume and some pumpkins to carve. On our way home, I had the biggest scare of my life! I was driving down Hunt Highway. There was a car in front of me that was getting ready to turn right so they merged over into the right turning lane. As they did that, a van pulled out right in front of me! I reacted and swerved into the oncoming lane because I didn't even have enough time to slam on the breaks! I had two choices, swerve or T-bone the van. I chose to swerve and by the grace of God, there was not a car coming in the other lane! I honestly believe I was being watched over at that moment. That chances of not having another car coming at that moment were very slim! Anyone who has ever driven down Hunt Highway would know this! I was terrified! I had to pull off the side of the road so that I could catch my breath! And the worst part is that the van just kept on going!!! Oohh, it just makes me want to scream!! I had my baby in the car with me!! If we would have collided, it would have been a horrible collision. I wasn't speeding, but I was going fast enough for the impact to be fatal. Either to us, or to the people in the van. Thank you Heavenly Father! I know my prayers are answered everyday when I feel his protection like this!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Yesterday was Keith and I's 3 year anniversary. 3 years ago, from yesterday, we took vows to love each other through sickness and health, good times and bad times, forever. Our wedding was awesome. There was no stress and it was all about us. We got married in Vegas so we didn't have to spend outrageous amounts of money on venues, food, bridesmaids dresses, invitations, etc. We made the choice to make that day about "us" and not everyone else by hosting a gigantic wedding with all of our friends and family. We invited our families to come, but only our immediate families were able to make, which was awesome.

We had the ceremony at the famous Chapel of the Bells. It was a great choice, but an interesting day. A limo from the Chapel came to pick us up and take us to the courthouse for our marriage licsense. We had to stand in line for 2 hours. I remember the limo driver wanted to come back and get us and keep my dress in the trunk of the car! We ended up standing in line for 2 hours while holding my dress because I was afraid the driver would lose my dress! When we finally made it to the chapel, we had a funny experience with the person who married us. She was definitely not what we expected! First of all, she was a woman and second, she was about 90 years old! But she did a great job and her words made me cry. Inside the chapel was incredibly beautiful.

Anyway, here are some pictures of us on our wedding trip to Vegas! Happy Anniversary to my husband! I couldn't have found a better man to marry. I love him with all of my heart!

Arizona Fall Weather

Fall is my favorite time of year. I always want to decorate my house in fall colors and pumpkins and fill it with the scent of pumpkin pie! I love it! I always hear people say that Arizona does not have all 4 seasons, but that is absolutely not true! All they have to do is head up north to the White Mountains. The weather there in the Fall is quite possibly what heaven will be like. The beautiful aspen trees turning red, orange, and gold mixed with the chill in the air is breathtaking. The great part about it, is that it isn't cold! This is the only time of year that makes me miss good old Eagar, Arizona. I wish I could be there now, exploring the beauty of Escudilla mountain. For anyone who has never seen this amazing mountain, here are a few pictures.

I also love fall here in the San Tan Valley, where I live. It seems as though the atmosphere begins to change. The weather starts to cool down and people become friendlier and happier. Kids also become more managable at school because they are able to start playing outside. The wonderful part is that it's not hot but it's not cold. It's perfect! The fall is truly the greatest time of year!!

Stay at Home Moms…….

Are lucky!! I would give anything  to be able to stay home with my Hunter. It was such a wonderful break with Hunter. We played and spent all day together. Then Monday came and I had to take him back to the sitter and I think Hunter was upset. When we dropped him off he had this sad little look in his eyes that was almost unbearable. I just wanted to grab him back up and go home and cuddle. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my job! I just wish that I could put my job on hold, have kids, and then go back to work when the last one starts Kindergarten. That would be my dream!!

Finally on Break

Well, our Fall Break started last week but I decided to teach intercession for the first week, just to get some extra money. It was pretty easy and only 4 hours a day, but I am ready to spend some time with my baby!

The last day of intercession we decided to go to Morenci and visit Grandma and Grandpa Rogers, but I ended up getting sick with a horrible stomach bug. Needless to say, I made Keith bring us home because I was miserable. Keith ended up going back because he had to take the trailer and bring back our Rhino that left up there. So me and Hunter have had the day to spend together. Just me and him! We've had so much fun.

I took him out in the backyard and we ran through the sprinklers. He loved that. Then we went to the park and Hunter played like crazy! I couldn't get him to come down. When we got home we made sugar cookies and decorated them together. I think he ate more sprinkles, instead of decorating with them. But we had a great time together. I'm looking forward to spending a whole week with him!

Kicked out of daycare!

I know you're thinking to yourself, "how could this happen?" But it did! My son was kicked out of daycare. He has developed a habit of biting, which I honestly don't know how or where he got this habit. He doesn't ever bite with us, and when he does he gets in trouble. But for some reason, with other kids, he just can't stop. I don't know what the heck is wrong. Anyway, another parent became upset that my 18 month old bit their child and the babysitter told us not to bring him back! Just out of the blue! In one day and out the next. How do you think this makes him feel? I am completely stunned because how could they possibly think that he is doing it on purpose!?? He is 18 MONTHS OLD!! He doesn't understand! But, the way I figure, he must have learned this defense mechanism because of other kids. So, it's probably better we had to get a new babysitter. I'm just incredibly PISSED OFF. Not because we had to get a new babysitter, but because they treated my son like he was completely expendable. In one day and out the next. What a way to treat a baby. (Although I do understand why the other parents were upset. I wouldn't want my child to get bitten either. But does he need to be kicked out of daycare and treated like an outcast??? The answer is no.)
Anyway, on a brighter note..... we found a new babysitter and she is wonderful. It also helps that she is LDS. I believe that this was truly a blessing in disguise. Hunter's entire demeanor was different when we picked him up today. He was refreshed, energetic, and happy. He took a 3 hour nap, which helps tremendously! He came home and played with us and snuggled me for an hour! It was a wonderful evening tonight!

Mimi and Papa

What a crazy few weeks it has been. We started back to school on July 13th and decided that we would let Hunter go stay with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers for a whole week! It was really hard on us being without him. Honestly, we didn’t know what to do! Nothing felt normal. I know it was supposed to be a break for us, but I really hated it.

Grandma and Grandpa took Hunter up to Greer for the Cordes family reunion and so, Keith and I went up there to pick him up. While we were there, my Grandpa Hews (we call him papa) fell and broke his hip. They sent him to Tucson to have surgery. While at the hospital they discovered a blood clot in his lung and that he had some heart conditions. We were extremely worried about him for the surgery and the doctors were not exactly optimistic. The whole entire family was at the hospital for his surgery. Luckily, his surgery was successful and he did wonderful. He is now in a rehabilitation facility in Tucson and he is trying to get used to walking again. Mimi (my grandma) has been right there by his side the entire time. She is such a wonderful and strong woman. She is wonderful example to our whole family.

Fishing at San Carlos

We just got back from a wonderful family overnight fishing trip. We took Lynn and Laura’s new pop-up trailer and headed out to the tanks to catch some catfish, bass, and anything else we could! I love going to the tanks on the reservation because the reservation has the most beautiful land. I also love the tanks because that is where Keith and I went on our first date. Now, Hunter’s very first camping trip was at the tanks. It’s a very special place to our family and I hope that we will go there every year!

We have been in Morenci for a few days and Hunter has had the time of his life. He has come to like Laura’s dog, Molly. Molly is extremely gentle,but also very old. She is deaf, but Hunter loves her. We also went down to see the goats and Hunter got to ride one. It was adorable. We have had an awesome time here visiting Grandma and Grandpa Rogers. Hunter and Molly

Goat Riding

4 boys and 1 girl

These last few days have been so much fun. My sister went to a conference and so Keith and I have been watching Taylor and Aiden. They are such awesome kids and I miss them terribly. They have been so good and have done a wonderful job playing with Hunter. When they first got here on Sunday night, Hunter would run up to Aiden and give him a hug. Then he would run up to Taylor and give him a kiss. What a precious moment. Aiden started calling him “Hunter Snuggles.” It’s so cute.

Yesterday we went swimming at Grandma’s house. The boys were ecstatic, because they LIVE in the pool when they go to Grandma’s. Hunter has a little floatie that looks like a crab and has a shade. He hung out in that all afternoon. I gave Aiden a swimming lesson and he learned to blow bubbles and put his face in the water. Taylor is a very strong swimmer, so I didn’t worry about him. I gave Taylor swimming lessons when he was about 7.  We had a great time yesterday!

Here are a few pics of Hunter giving hugs….

Finally Home

We are finally home from our trip to visit Tara, Mike and the boys. We are exhausted! We had a lot of fun. We got to go on a ride in the Rhino and have a picnic. We also got to see Aiden play in his T-ball game and Taylor in his baseball game. They are so awesome. Hunter had a good time, but he had his first big tumble this weekend. It scared me to death. We got a new camp trailer and Hunter learned how to open the door and he fell out. Luckily, he is okay. He does have some bruises on his back and he got a little scrape on his head. Now I make sure to dead bolt the door so that he can’t open it.  We are glad to be home, even though we LOVE our new trailer and it’s very comfortable. I’ll just be more careful with the door next time.

First Summer Trip

We are getting ready to go on our first family trip for the summer! We just bought a 5th wheel, and we’re going to take it up to my sister’s and go hang out. It’s not going to be a HUGE trip, but it’s still going to be a vacation, which we all need. Mike and Tara and the boys will be taking their jeep and we will take our Rhino and we’re going to go play outside! I’ll take lots of pictures and update everyone as soon as we get back.

Here it is...

Well, it's finally here! The last day of school! These days are always a little bitter sweet to me. On one hand, I am going on a very long vacation and I get to spend everyday with Hunter! On the other hand, all my students are moving up and most of them I won't see again. I'm moving to a new school, AGAIN! (At least i'll be in the same district!) But now, I won't get to see all of my former students and how they act in 7th grade. The good news is that some of them are also going to Magma Ranch next year, which is where Keith and I are both going to be. I'm incredibly excited to be going to Magma Ranch. I will be teaching 5th grade. The good news is that I get to teach the gifted cluster of students, which I have never had the opportunity to do before. I also get to be the team lead! I'm very excited about that! So many good things are happening next year. I am going to miss my students incredibly bad! I'm so proud of them for growing up and making it to the 7th grade. I wish them all the luck in the world. I love being a teacher!

Summer Break

Yesterday was such an incredible day! We went to Roosevelt with Jay and Kresta. We all put our lifejackets on and jumped in the water. Hunter even got in and loved it! At first he was a little scared because the water was a little cold, but eventually he got used to it. Then, we got back on the boat and watched Kresta wakeboard. I really want to learn how to do that! If I tried right now, I am certain I would probably severly injure myself, but I want to get into shape and learn this summer! I would be so proud of myself if I could do that. Yesterday was just a small glimpse of how great our summer is going to be. I am pumped for summer break! Only the rest of this week and then I am done for 6 weeks!
Keith started Prescott College a few weeks ago and I am so proud of him! He is almost done with school. Just a few more semesters to go. I am so glad that we made the decision to move back here and let Keith finish school. It was exactly what he needed to do. He is going to make a really wonderful teacher! I have also made the decision to got back to school and get my Master's Degree. I'm a little nervous, but I'm also very excited. I've always wanted to, but I needed a little break from school. Now just feels like the right time. I'm getting my degree in Educational Leadership along with my principalship. We'll see where this will take me!

Hunter's Getting Big!

I just wanted to share this video with everyone because it brings me joy every time I watch it! My little boy is growing up and he is so smart. He knows when I say it's time for bed, to go to his room. He knows when he finds something on the ground that is garbage, to go put it in the garbage. When I tell him to pick up his toys, he does! He also absolutely loves to read books. He will sit by himself and open a book and just turn each page, one by one, talking out loud, just like he is reading it! It's awesome. This video happens to be the first time he did a somersault. He is so adorable!

Spring

I love this time of year! It's so beautiful outside. I can wake up at 6 am and it's already light and I have not wasted any part of the day. During the week, I wake up at 5 and it's almost light outside. I can't wait until it's completely light and I can wake up at 5 everyday. I know I am a little crazy, but I LOVE the mornings. It's the most breathtaking and fresh time of the day.
I have not been blogging as well as I should. My last blog was in March, so I guess I need to get it together! The good news is that there is only 5 weeks of school and then I can blog everyday for 6 weeks! I can't wait! Plus, we'll finally have time to visit Mimi and Papa, as well as Bob and Doris and Grandma Cordes. We haven't been up to Eagar in awhile, but I just haven't wanted to fight the cold and snow.
Hunter started walking and he is ALL OVER THE PLACE! I can barely catch him. He practically can run already. He loves to be outside. Sometimes we go for walks around the block and I let him walk the whole way. He is so active! He also has 2 more teeth, for a grand total of 8 teeth. He also can eat "normal" food now. We don't have to buy baby food anymore!!
Keith has been down in the back for the past week. He has been seeing a chiropractor and started spinal decompressions which have been helping him. He has been very busy with school and has to drive to Casa Grande every Saturday for his English class. He is going to be starting Prescott College in May and will be done with school by next May. That will be a relief for all of us!
I am doing good. I found out that I will be teaching 5th grade next year and I am so happy and relieved! That means I only will have 1 class and I will teach all subjects, which is what I am used to. This past year I have taught 6th grade Science to 6 different classes and it's been rough. That is alot of papers to grade and it takes an extremely organized person, which I will admit, I am not! So, 5th grade will be much better!
Well, we're all doing well, except for Keith's back, but it's healing. Hopefully, I'll get back to this blog sooner next time!

Update

I just wanted to update everyone on Lynn and Laura. They are both out of the hospital. Lynn was released on Friday, so Keith and I picked him up from the hospital on Friday evening. They came to stay at our house for the weekend so we could help them. Laura is doing fine, all but her sore back and ribs. Lynn still has 10 broken ribs altogether and 8 of them are completely detached. He will be on oxygen for awhile until he can breathe in enough oxygen on his own. Other than that, they will both be ok.
We have all learned a huge lesson from this. Accidents can happen to anyone! Always wear a helmet on the 4-wheeler. They were extremely lucky to not have any head injuries, but the next person this happens to might not be so lucky! We always need to be aware of our surroundings and what could happen.

Sad Weekend

Well, this weekend didn't go anything like we had planned. Saturday afternoon we got a call that Lynn and Laura (Keith's parents) were in a 4-wheeler accident. Tim called and was pretty scared. They were all out going for a ride to Lower Eagle Creek in Morenci. They went around a sharp corner and tried to get as far over to the side as they could, so that if another came around, they wouldn't get hit. The asphalt was slick and then the shoulder gave way underneath and it sucked them off of the road. They went off of an incredibly steep enbankment, almost like the edge of a cliff. When they hit bottom, the ATV almost landed on top of them. Tim called 911 immediately. 2 helicopters came and airvac'd both of them to University Medical Center in Tucson.
Laura has 2 fractured vertebrae and 3 broken ribs. Lynn has 5 broken, free floating ribs. Laura was released yesterday, but Lynn has to stay at the hospital until his pain subsides. He can barely breath at all. They both have road rash from head to toe. Even though they are hurt pretty bad, we all just thank Heavenly Father that it wasn't worse. Please keep Lynn and Laura in your prayers.

Weekend work

We had a weekend filled with work! Keith works so hard! He takes a lot of pride in our house and he always wants to fix it up. This weekend he built a shelf by the TV for an entertainment center. He also worked incredibly hard building shelves in our garage.
Our garage was a mess. We have to fit the boat in, the Rhino, plus all the rest of our stuff. Keith decided he would build shelves to create more room. He built 1 side of the garage with double shelves and the other side has one long shelf. It makes SO MUCH room in our garage! We can actually fit in it!
Hunter and I just stayed inside and played. I cleaned the house and went grocery shopping. It was a pretty good weekend. I love just spending time with my little family! :)

Hunter's Year

This is Hunter now

Here he is about 6 months old

The first time I saw him

What a beautiful boy!

Today is Hunter's Birthday. What happened to this whole year? It went by so fast, all the memories are just blurs! What a wonderful year it has been. Even though the year is just memories, I will remember every single moment, from the first time the nurses laid Hunter on my belly and I saw his beautiful face, to this moment.

Hunter was the most gorgeous baby I have ever seen. I'm sure every mother says that, but I really do believe that I've never seen a baby so perfect. Those few days after Hunter was born were miserable, but I knew in my heart they would pass. When they did, I realized again how amazing my son was. He only kept me up all night a handful of times. By the time he was 4 weeks old, he was sleeping through the night. He hardly ever cried. I am so lucky.

I'm so proud of him, already! When he first laughed, I was proud. When he first said Dada I was proud. Now all he says is, "Ma," and I'm even more proud! It took him awhile to learn how to roll over, but once he did, he learned to crawl like a maniac. He crawls faster than me. He was 8 months old when he got his first tooth. Then within the month, he got 5 more! Once he starts something, he just keeps going! I can't wait to see what he will become.

Hunter is 1 today. I can't believe it. I can't believe that I can love such a little person so much! I guess that is what kids do. They open up your heart. At least that is what Hunter has done for me.

Crazy Week

Last Monday, I woke up Hunter to find that he had thrown up all over in his bed, as well as down the wall next to his crib. So I stayed home and took him to the doctor. The doc said to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated and try giving him some Pedialyte. Well, Hunter hated it! So after that, he wouldn't drink anything!! On the way home from the doctor he threw up all over himself. When I got home and tried to put him in the bath, he developed diahrea. It was awful and it was like this ALL WEEK LONG! I took him back to the doctor on Wednesday and all he said was to give him Pedialyte or Gatorade. Thankfully, Hunter finally started drinking his regular formula. Poor little guy. It was awful. I felt so bad for him. He was a miserable little boy for a few days.
On Wednesday, Keith developed the nasty stomach flu also and had to stay home from work on Thursday. I had Hunter stay with my mom and dad on Friday because I couldn't miss work anymore. Now they both have it! I have not gotten it and I don't plan on getting it. I cannot take anymore days off of work this year! Even though I have only taken 3 days this entire year and I still have about 9 more days, I have a feeling I would be reprimanded for taking too many days. It's stupid, but that's the life of a teacher. Now it will be even worse, since the legislature just decided to make massive budget cuts in education. This has been an awful week!!

Making History

I'm sitting here watching a little bit of the inauguration celebrations and I have come to realize that I have never been so scared of the future in my life. I understand that it really is a historic day for our country, but I feel like Americans picked the wrong time to make history. The future is looking bleak and Americans are not focusing on what is important. Instead, they are worshipping a man because he can deliver a nice speech and has the right color of skin. So much money was spent on this inauguration that could have been spent more constructively. For example, all the money and man power they had in security should have been used on our borders, protecting us from terrorism and drugs. But today, America showed me that one man was more important to them. Not more important because of his intelligence and experience, but important to them because his skin is not white.
Right now, all I know, is that I need to put my faith in Heavenly Father and pray that this is his will. I have faith that whatever happens, it is happening for a reason. I just pray that my family will be safe. I know that hard times are coming, but if we all have faith, we will get through these next four years.

Welcome 2009

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Ruddell's House

Hunter and Mommy

Hunter's New Dump Truck

I cannot believe that it's already 2009! Hunter is going to be 1 year old soon! How can this be? Well, we have had a wonderful 3 week vacation and it's coming to a close. I've gotten very used to being with Hunter all day long. I'm going to be extremely sad to take him back to the babysitter everyday. I would give anything to stay home with my baby all day! But I guess that I should be thankful that I get to take so many long vacations. That's the 1 benefit of being a teacher.

Over the break we had a lot of fun. Christmas was so much fun! Hunter was very spoiled. Santa was very good to him. We got to spend some time up in Springerville in the snow. We also got to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa Ruddell out on their land. We got to take a family vacation to Las Vegas with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers. We had a wonderful time.